Duryard Valley Park

The valley unfolds as you crest the hill above Exeter - proper dramatic, that sudden drop into green. Duryard Valley Park sits on the edge of the city, where urban sprawl gives way to actual countryside, and on a clear day you get sweeping views right across Devon's rolling landscape.

It's not a manicured visitor attraction with a car park and ice cream stand. It's more of a walker's pause - a place where locals bring their dogs and where you can actually breathe. The valley itself is steep-sided with woodland edging down to the water, and there's a real sense of having stepped outside the city limits even though Exeter's only a few minutes' drive away.

Walkers will get the most from it. There are decent paths through the valley floor, and the views back towards the city and beyond make for a cracking spot to sit and take in the Devon countryside without needing to trek for hours. If you're staying at somewhere like Devon Heaven Hideaways - the glamping place just outside Exeter - this is an easy half-morning escape when you want a walk that doesn't eat your whole day.

The real draw is the contrast. You're close enough to Exeter that you don't need a long drive, but far enough that you've genuinely left the place behind. Families with younger kids might find it a bit limited after an hour or so, but for anyone after a proper Devon valley walk without the tourist machinery, it's well worth the detour.